Maine high court rejects school gunman's appeal

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The Maine Supreme Judicial Court has rejected the appeal of a 59-year-old man convicted of taking a fifth-grade classroom hostage at gunpoint.

Randall Hofland of Searsport is serving a 35-year sentence following his conviction on 22 counts of kidnapping and other charges for holding 11 children at gunpoint in Stockton Springs on Oct. 31, 2008.

In his appeal, Hofland's claims include that he was denied the right to a speedy trial and the right to self-representation and that the judge illegally sentenced him to consecutive sentences, rather than concurrent sentences.

The court issued a unanimous opinion Tuesday rejecting his claims.

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